Profile

Tad Oelstrom, adjunct lecturer in Public Policy, is Director of
the National Security Program at the John F. Kennedy School of
Government, Harvard University. The National Security Program
encompasses a broad range of executive education initiatives, e.g.,
program for Senior
Executives in National and International Security , National
Security Fellows program, US-Russia Security program, Black Sea
Security Program, Central Asia Security Program, Generals
and Flag Officers Homeland Security Program and the US-South Asia
Leader Engagement Program. He serves as the Program Director and/or
the Faculty Chair for most of these programs. He joined the
faculty in 2001 after more than 35 years in the US Air Force,
retiring as a Lieutenant General. As a Command Pilot, he has flown
more than 20 types of fighter aircraft, served in 6 different
countries, and participated in combat in both Southeast Asia and
Southwest Asia. He has command experience at all tactical levels
from Flight through Numbered Air Force. Key senior command
positions include three different fighter wings in England,
Southwest Asia, and Germany, the US Third Air Force in England and
the US Air Force Academy. Key staff assignments include Director of
Fighter Operations, Tactical Air Command; Executive Officer to the
Deputy Commander US European Command; and Inspector General US Air
Forces in Europe. His areas of focus are national and international
security issues, US military, and advanced development education
for national security professionals.